Florida's Environment Scores With Oil Recycling Program

- Florida DEP, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Advance Discount Auto Parts Partner to Protect Florida's Natural Resources -

TAMPA, Fla., July 21 -- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Advance Discount Auto Parts are joining forces to protect Florida's environment. A joint public awareness campaign, Bring Every Quart Back!, encourages Floridians to protect natural resources and underground drinking water supplies by properly disposing used motor oil at public collection centers throughout the State.

"Recycling and properly disposing of used oil will prevent contamination of Florida's water," said DEP Deputy Secretary Allan Bedwell. "Combining the talents of the World Champion Buccaneers with the Department's world-class used oil recycling program and Advance Discount Auto Parts' 400-plus Florida locations provides Floridians with a simple and effective way to dispose of used oil -- free of charge."

Nationwide, approximately 200 million gallons of used oil are dumped on the ground or poured into storm drains every year. Improperly disposed oil can contaminate drinking water and harm aquatic animal and plant life. Just five gallons of motor oil can render one million gallons of water undrinkable. The oil can also create a film on top of rivers and lakes, depriving aquatic plant life of necessary sunlight and nutrients.

Statewide, only 35 percent of the more than seven million gallons of motor oil used annually is recycled. The Bring Every Quart Back! campaign strives to prevent environmental damage by encouraging Floridians to recycle used oil at one of the 1,100 Public Used Oil Collection Centers located throughout the State. In 2001, Florida's nationally recognized Public Used Oil Collection Centers successfully recycled 2,709,035 gallons of used oil.

The Bring Every Quart Back! campaign starts today with public service announcements, hosted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers Derrick Brooks and Martin Gramatica, and culminates with a Used Oil Recycling Day on August 30 at Raymond James Stadium. Those bringing used motor oil (maximum five gallons per person) for recycling will be eligible for special merchandise offers.

All Advance Discount Auto Parts stores serve as free used motor oil recycling centers. To find a Public Used Oil Collection Center near you call 1-800-741-4DEP.